Device for grouping elongate items

ABSTRACT

A retaining portion ( 4 ) is configured to organise elongate items grouped about a central zone ( 3 ). Release means ( 2 ) is operable to reorientate the elongate items ( 107 ) from a first grouped configuration to a splayed grouped configuration in which the grouped items are splayed from the first grouped configuration.

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for grouping elongate items. In particular, the invention relates to a device for grouping elongate items for purposes such as storage and/or display.

[0002] Elongate items to which the invention may be applicable are items having a dimension greater in length than in cross section. Specific examples include writing and drawing instruments, items of confectionery, food, medical instruments, medications, tools or other suitably proportioned items. Suitable elongate items may have transversely projecting elements and be suitable for grouping in accordance with the invention. For example safety razors may be grouped in accordance with the invention.

[0003] Devices are known offering storage and display for typically pens, pencils and similar stationery items. An example of such a device is disclosed in GB-A-2251582. An improved device has now been devised.

[0004] According to the invention, there is provided a device for grouping elongate items, the device comprising a retaining portion configured to organise the elongate items grouped about a central zone, and release means operable to reorientate the elongate items from a first grouped configuration to a splayed grouped configuration in which the grouped items are splayed from the first grouped configuration.

[0005] The device offers a dual function activated by the user. A compact stored position where the grouped items are protected, for example whilst the device is in transit, at the point of sale or in situations not required by the user. By activating the release means the items will move into an open splayed array where the items are more easily selected or replaced by the user.

[0006] The retaining portion preferably comprises spaced inner and outer walls, the elongate items being grouped between the inner and outer walls. The inner and outer walls preferably define a channel or trough extending about the central zone. The channel or trough is preferably substantially annular although rectilinear geometries are also envisaged. Beneficially, the items are grouped with respective ends resting in the channel or trough. The retaining portion is therefore preferably arranged to retain the grouped items proximate respective ends thereof.

[0007] The inner and outer walls are preferably spaced by a distance slightly larger than the width dimension of the retained items. Beneficially, the items are retained side by side adjacent to one another in single file.

[0008] The retaining portion may be configured to include discrete receiving zones, typically defined by spacing elements, arranged to receive individual ones of the elongate elements, or sub-groups thereof. The receiving zones may comprise pockets arranged to receive respective ends of the elongate items.

[0009] It is particularly preferred that the retaining portion is arranged to retain the grouped items proximate respective lowermost ends thereof. Beneficially the outer wall of the retaining portion extends substantially up to or less than 50% of the length of the respective items (more preferably substantially extending up to or less than 30% of the length of the respective items, most preferably substantially up to or less than 20% of the length of the respective items).

[0010] The outer wall of the retaining portion preferably extends upwardly from a base provided for the device. The release means preferably comprises a peripheral collar sheath, or ring element movable between a non-splay permitting orientation, in which the items remain grouped in non-splayed configuration, and a splay permitting orientation, in which the items are caused or permitted to configure to a configuration more splayed. The items may splay outwardly with respect to the central zone, preferably such that in the splayed configuration non-retained ends of the items extend outwardly from the outer wall of the retaining portion. The non-retained ends of the elongate items are essentially more spaced from one another in the splayed configuration than they are in the non-splayed configuration.

[0011] In one embodiment, the peripheral collar or sheath is movable axially with respect to the elongate items. This may be in a direction away from the retaining portion, from the non-splay permitting orientation to the splay permitting orientation. In this embodiment the collar ring or sheath is separable or removable from the remainder of the device. The collar ring or sheath may include a cap end distal to the retaining portion end of the device. The cap may therefore comprise a cap closure.

[0012] In an alternative embodiment, the peripheral collar ring or sheath may be movable in a direction toward the retaining portion from the non-splay permitting orientation to the splay permitting orientation. In this embodiment the collar ring or sheath may be non-separable or non-removable from the device. In such an embodiment, in the splay permitting orientation, the peripheral collar ring or sheath may overlap or overlay the outer wall of the retaining portion. In the non-splay permitting orientation the collar ring or sheath may locate (preferably to be lodgingly retained with) with a locating seat provided at a distal portion of the device, the collar ring or sheath in the splay permitting orientation being positioned adjacent the retaining portion at the proximal end of the device. The locating seat at the distal end of the device is preferably provided at a distal end cap of the device. A central column beneficially connects the proximal retaining portion and the distal end cap of the device.

[0013] In an alternative embodiment the collar ring or sheath may be movable rotationally about a central axis to effect re-configuration between the first (non-splayed) and splayed grouped configurations. In this embodiment, the collar ring or sheath preferably includes receiving means (such as apertures) for receiving respective portions (preferably stem portions) of the elongate items.

[0014] The proximal retaining portion of the device preferably comprises or includes a base upon which the device may rest, a central column or boss upstanding from the proximal retaining portion. The central column or boss may comprise a wall of the retaining portion.

[0015] The device is preferably formed substantially of plastics material, preferably being of moulded plastics construction.

[0016] The invention will now be further described in specific embodiments, by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0017]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary device according to the invention;

[0018]FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the device of FIG. 1;

[0019]FIG. 3 is a perspective/part sectional view of the device of FIGS. 1 and 2 in a non-splay permitting orientation;

[0020]FIG. 4 is a view of the device in an alternative, splay permitting, orientation;

[0021]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a device according to the invention;

[0022]FIGS. 6a and 6 b are perspective views of a further alternative embodiment of a device according to the invention;

[0023]FIG. 7 is a schematic longitudinal section through an alternative embodiment of a device according to the invention;

[0024]FIG. 8 is a plan view of the base of the device of FIG. 7;

[0025]FIG. 9 is a plan view of the sliding/rotating ring of the device of FIG. 7;

[0026]FIG. 10 is a side view of the ring of FIG. 9;

[0027]FIG. 11 is a schematic sectional view of a further alternative arrangement according to the invention configured in the splay permitting orientation; and

[0028]FIG. 12 is a schematic sectional view of the arrangement of FIG. 11 in the non-splay permitting orientation.

[0029] Referring to the drawings (initially FIGS. 1 to 4) a storage/display device (101) for elongate items (107) has, at a proximal end (102) spaced inner and outer upwardly extending retaining walls (3, 4) extending upwards from a base surface (S). The walls (3, 4) can be of diverse heights. The inner wall (3) comprises a central column (17) extending between proximal end (102) and distal end (106) of the device. Between walls (3,4) is an annular channel (15) within which end portions of suitably proportioned elongate items (107) can be located. An optional upper retaining face (11) is provided at the distal end (106) of the device, which is connected to proximal end (102) by the column (3). Elongate items (107) are placed with proximal ends thereof in the channel (15) between the walls (3,4) at the retaining proximal end (102).

[0030] A peripheral release collar (2) is retained by the device and can be positioned at the distal end (106) of the device in a seated position push-fit lodged on circumferential surface (11) abutting on edge (12). As an alternative to push fit engagement, the release collar may be retained at the distal end (106) of the device by means of a detent mechanism, screw thread engagement, latch or catch means or bayonet or other means. In this orientation (shown clearly in FIG. 3) the distal ends of the elongate items (107) are retained by the lowermost margin of collar (2) in a non-splayed position closely grouped about the central column (3). Release collar (2) is movable by manual force from the distal end to the proximal end of the device to the position shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 in which the release collar (2) lies face against face adjacent the outer surface of outer wall (4). In moving the release collar (2) from the distal to proximal ends of the device, the grouped items (107) are free to fall from the near vertical (non-splayed) orientation until constrained by the said lower walls (3,4) and/or base (5) in a splayed position in which the distal ends of items (107) are positioned peripherally outwardly of the outer wall (4) (as shown in FIG. 4). The items are held in the splayed, in use, position by at least three points of contact (A, B and C in FIG. 4). These points of contact are, (B) the inside of the outer wall (4) near the base (5) and (A) at a point angularly displaced at its upper edge (19), and (C) at a point between these points on the inner column wall (3). The angle at which they are held is dictated by the cross sectional dimension of the items (107) the distance between the supporting faces of the inside and outside walls (3,4), and the height of the outside wall (4) above the base where the item lies. The inclination of the items from the vertical will be increased when the clearance between the items and the inner and outer walls (3,4) is increased and/or the height of the wall (4) above the base is decreased.

[0031] To reverse the grouped configuration of the items between a splayed configuration to the non-splayed configuration, the collar is raised vertically to its original position push fit lodged at the distal end of the device.

[0032] The embodiment of FIG. 5 shows a device (301) which is generally similar in construction and operation to the device of FIGS. 1 to 4 except that two concentric annular channels (315), (415) are provided permitting items to be grouped in two concentric ranks about the central column (317).

[0033] The transition between the non-splayed configuration and the splayed configuration for the array of grouped items (107) can be achieved in alternative ways. In one alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the stored items can be constrained by a removable sleeve (202) which is a push fit on outer wall (204) of base (205). An inner boss (203) defines (with wall (204)) the annular channel (215). Sleeve (202) may be provided with or without an upper cap surface (217). Sleeve (202) could be of a transparent material allowing the stored items to be observed when stored. The removable sleeve (202) forms an outer retaining surface in place of surface (13) and providing an identical function as the sliding element (2) of the previous embodiment by forming the stored items into a near vertical array.

[0034] In a further alternative embodiment (shown in FIGS. 11 and 12) the vertically sliding element (602) and the wall (604) of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 5 can be extended (increased in height) to an extent such that whilst the stored items remain splayed and accessible to the user when in the in use, splayed, position (FIG. 11), when the sliding element (602) is raised to its upper stored position as shown in FIG. 11 (returning the items to the non-splayed position), the lower edge of collar element (602) overlaps the wall (604) forming a continuous surface to cover and protect the contents.

[0035] Referring to the embodiment of FIGS. 7 to 10, this arrangement is generally similar to the embodiments of the device previously described, however in this instance a rotating ring (502) is rotatable about column (517). Stem portions of individual elongate items are received in respective apertures (550) of ring (502), the lower most ends of the elongate items being held in the base (506). The base (506) includes an outer peripheral wall (504) and an inner peripheral wall (503) (forming the base of the column). The base is also provided with radially inwardly projecting formations (551) which, due to their respective adjacent spacing, define discrete pockets (or receiving zones) (552) to receive and retain individual respective ends of the elongate items.

[0036] With the elongate item ends received in receiving zones (552) and respective apertures (550) for respective elongate items co-aligned with receiving zones (552), the items are stored substantially vertically upright in a non-splayed configuration. By rotating ring (502) about central column (517) the upper ends of the elongate item (proximate distal end (606)) are caused to tilt with respect the lowermost end captured in the respective pocket (552) thereby reorientating the respective item in a splayed configuration. 

1. A device for grouping elongate items, the device comprising a retaining portion configured to organise the elongate items grouped about a central zone, and release means operable to reorientate the elongate items from a first grouped configuration to a splayed grouped configuration in which the grouped items are splayed from the first grouped configuration.
 2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the retaining portion comprises spaced inner and outer walls, the elongate items being grouped between the inner and outer walls.
 3. A device according to claim 2, wherein the inner and outer walls define a channel or trough extending about the central zone.
 4. A device according to claim 3, wherein the items are grouped with respective ends resting in the channel or trough.
 5. A device according to claim 1, wherein the retaining portion is arranged to retain the grouped items proximate respective ends thereof.
 6. A device according to claim 5, wherein the retaining portion is arranged to retain the grouped items proximate respective lowermost ends thereof.
 7. A device according to claim 2, wherein the outer wall extends substantially to or less than 50% of the length of the respective items.
 8. A device according to claim 7, wherein the outer wall extends substantially to or less than 30% of the length of the respective items.
 9. A device according to claim 8, wherein the outer wall extends substantially to or less than 20% of the length of the respective items.
 10. A device according to claim 2, wherein the outer wall extends upwardly from a base of the device.
 11. A device according to claim 1, wherein the retaining portion comprises a peripheral substantially annular portion.
 12. A device according to claim 1, wherein the release means comprises a peripheral collar or sheath element movable between a non-splay permitting orientation, in which the items remain grouped in non-splayed configuration, and a splay permitting orientation, in which the items are caused or permitted to configure to a configuration more splayed outwardly with respect to the central zone.
 13. A device according to claim 12, wherein the peripheral collar or sheath is movable in a direction away from the retaining portion from the non-splay permitting orientation to the splay permitting orientation.
 14. A device according to claim 12, wherein the peripheral collar or sheath has a cap end distal to the retaining portion end of the device.
 15. A device according to claim 12, wherein the peripheral collar or sheath is movable in a direction toward the retaining portion from the non-splay permitting orientation to the splay permitting orientation.
 16. A device according to claim 1, wherein the retaining portion includes an outer wall, the elongate items being grouped within the outer wall, the release means comprising a peripheral collar movable between a substantially non-splay permitting orientation and a splay permitting orientation, wherein the splay permitting orientation, the peripheral collar overlaps or overlays the outer wall of the retaining portion.
 17. A device according to claim 1, wherein the release means comprises a peripheral collar movable between a substantially non-splay permitting orientation and a splay permitting orientation, the collar in the non-splay permitting orientation locating with a locating seat provided at a distal portion of the device, the collar in the splay permitting orientation being positioned adjacent to the receiving portion at the proximal end of the device.
 18. A device according to claim 17, wherein the collar locating seat at the distal end of the device is provided at a distal end cap of the device.
 19. A device according to claim 18, wherein a central column connects the proximal retaining portion and the distal end cap of the device.
 20. A device according to claim 1, wherein the proximal retaining portion comprises or included a base upon which the device may rest, a central column upstanding from the proximal retaining portion.
 21. A device according to claim 1, further comprising a point of sale retail display means for the items grouped by the device. 